AUGUSTA, Mich. (News 10) – The unclaimed remains of 14 veterans were laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday.
The ceremony took place days before Veterans Day. It ensures the veterans’ service is honored and that they receive a proper burial.
5 Mid-Michigan Army Veterans
Five of the remains were from Army veterans from Mid-Michigan (italicized).
- SP5 Douglas Greiner, US Army
- SP4 Ronald Cole, US Army
- PFC Robert Sheathelm, US Army
- James Lee, US Army
- PV2 Thomas Hibblen, US ArmyFrederick Clark, Army veteran, Ingham County (Lansing) Natural death at home. No family available to claim
- PFC John Watson, US Army Eaton County Charlotte Resident all family preceded him in death, Natural Death at home
- PFC Myron Moore, US Army Ingham County Lansing City Resident family chose not to claim him, natural death at home
- SP4 Frederick Clark, US Army Ingham Co Lansing City resident Abandoned at local funeral home, natural death at home
- PFC Michael Garceau, US Army Ionia County Ronald Township Resident estranged family chose not to claim, natural death at home
- Fireman Recruit Ervin Flint, US Navy
- Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class Eugene Burdue, US Navy
- Pipe Fitter Second Class Fred Stiver, US Navy
- Cryptologic Technician Third Class Dennis Scarlett, US Navy
- Senior Airman Charles Powers, US Air Force
The 5 Mid-Michigan remains were held by the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Office of the Medical Examiner. The remainder were with the Jackson County Medical Examiner.
Military family steps in
Since no blood relatives attended, the veterans’ military family stepped in. Each of the veterans received full military funeral honors.
“Their family’s not here. I don’t even know if they know if they passed away. … Again, it just breaks my heart to see this,” Veteran Fred Gramza said. “They’re my brothers and sisters. That’s the way it is. It doesn’t matter.”…